A few days ago I bought a new wastegate actuator because mine seemed to have a weak diaphram......I talked to the guy at the counter and he told me that the grand am turbo from that year has the same actuator......He tested the actuator infront of me and it was fully open a 10psi.....My actuator that I replaced opened at 8psi.....I cant believe how much of a difference this made.....I have no intention of adding this much horsepower when I was replacing a stock garret actuator....Does anyone know the stock psi setting on a 1988 turbo sunbird gt?.....Ive heard 7/9psi....

my buddies 90 le turbo runs 10lb boost stock. for some reason right now, its actualy hitting 14-15, then the ecm throws the overboost code. im not sure why its doing it, thinking a bad line to the wastegate or else somethings sticking.

ya.....It could be something in the airline running to the wastegate....

I'm running 13.5, but I also am running a t-028 if that makes any difference.

I plan on running 15 psi..........with my talon sidemount intercooler setup things should be ok....i might need more fuel, but we'll see.

there suppost to run anywhere from 6-8 psi... but my old one spiked 10


...

The stock boost varies from car to car but 6 to 9 psi is pretty common. It's hard to pinpoint because a lot of people go by the stock boost gauge which is pretty inaccurate. The fuel cut varies a bit too with some cars hitting it as low as 10-11 psi and some going 12-13 psi.
Yeah, 10 psi is nice, 12 is better, 15 is real nice, 17 comes on like a big block, 20 feels incredible and 25 is hard to believe. I'm at 25-26 psi now and even though I've killed a few parts it's awesome! Have fun!

Tony


Tony
1987 Sunbird GT turbo convert
Ported intake, Fiero 53 MM TB, 52 lb inj, ported and flowed head, tube header, Mitsu TD06, ARP rod
bolts/head studs, adj cam sprocket, 4" x 12" x 31" FMIC, Paxton AFPR, modified 125 trans/LSD
unit/3.42's, custom chip tuning, Alky Control Methanol injection
13.61 ET at 101.44 mph, 262 WHP/350WTQ

2009 Pontiac Solstice GXP roadster, 2.0 turbo w/GMPP exh, CAI and turbo upgrade, 290 hp/325 ft lbs

1969 Olds 442 convert
400 Eng, 200-4R trans, 3.73 posi, power everything, OAI

^^ so your running 25psi with a bigger turbo and only a 13.61 quarter mile?!? i thought you could run high 13s with just a boost controller?

btw - were did you find a LSD unit for your sunbird?


1989 Pontiac Sunbird GT - LT3

No, I ran 13.61 at 17 psi with a Garrett T-28 off a Turbo Grand Prix. Traction was a huge problem.
You may just squeak into the 13's with a T-25 at 15 psi but the intake charge will be way hot. You'll need a better exhaust and air intake than stock too.
I went 14.17 with the stock T-25 at 15 psi.
With all the time and money invested in this heap if it doesn't run a low 13 or high 12 when the track opens I might just burn it in front of my house.

I got my LSD from Engineered Tech. Here's the web site - http://www.engineered.net/

It's expensive but works great.

Tony


Tony
1987 Sunbird GT turbo convert
Ported intake, Fiero 53 MM TB, 52 lb inj, ported and flowed head, tube header, Mitsu TD06, ARP rod
bolts/head studs, adj cam sprocket, 4" x 12" x 31" FMIC, Paxton AFPR, modified 125 trans/LSD
unit/3.42's, custom chip tuning, Alky Control Methanol injection
13.61 ET at 101.44 mph, 262 WHP/350WTQ

2009 Pontiac Solstice GXP roadster, 2.0 turbo w/GMPP exh, CAI and turbo upgrade, 290 hp/325 ft lbs

1969 Olds 442 convert
400 Eng, 200-4R trans, 3.73 posi, power everything, OAI

ya but how comparible is an automatic to a manual sunbird gt

Well, an automatic has the ability to leave with boost while a standard usually can't unless there's some device out there I'm not aware of.
A standard can leave at a higher RPM than an automatic so in theory it could get into boost pretty quickly, I suppose. As long as you control wheelspin.
Standards usually run a slightly higher MPH in the 1/4 than an automatic all things being the same.
Then there's always the human element. If you can't shift well you're going to hold the car back a lot.
I think that's about it.
Should I ask why?

Tony


Tony
1987 Sunbird GT turbo convert
Ported intake, Fiero 53 MM TB, 52 lb inj, ported and flowed head, tube header, Mitsu TD06, ARP rod
bolts/head studs, adj cam sprocket, 4" x 12" x 31" FMIC, Paxton AFPR, modified 125 trans/LSD
unit/3.42's, custom chip tuning, Alky Control Methanol injection
13.61 ET at 101.44 mph, 262 WHP/350WTQ

2009 Pontiac Solstice GXP roadster, 2.0 turbo w/GMPP exh, CAI and turbo upgrade, 290 hp/325 ft lbs

1969 Olds 442 convert
400 Eng, 200-4R trans, 3.73 posi, power everything, OAI

Quote:

Well, an automatic has the ability to leave with boost while a standard usually can't unless there's some device out there I'm not aware of.

This is what led to development of some infamous tricks like nitrous, water, or alky injected in the exhaust manifold. There's just no easy way to creat the heat needed to spool the turbo so adding a gas or liquid which quickly expands is the next best thing. Running the exhaust a bit rich and using an air pump to cause excess fuel to burn in the exhaust manifold might do it but I'd hate to see what the manifold looked like after a few months of this.

Quote:

Yeah, 10 psi is nice, 12 is better, 15 is real nice, 17 comes on like a big block,

In the cold air on the way home today, the 'bird (set at 17psi steady) felt stronger than the big block wagon parked at the bottom of the driveway. Much, much stronger. I put the 'bird back in the barn when I got home. I don't need to be gathering any tickets.

-->Slow

So when are you going to step up to 25 lbs and destroy some stuff like me my good friend? C'mon, It'll be fun! We can start a club, hang out and compare junk parts. It'll be swell. First one to go broke and end up in debtors prison wins!!

Tony


Tony
1987 Sunbird GT turbo convert
Ported intake, Fiero 53 MM TB, 52 lb inj, ported and flowed head, tube header, Mitsu TD06, ARP rod
bolts/head studs, adj cam sprocket, 4" x 12" x 31" FMIC, Paxton AFPR, modified 125 trans/LSD
unit/3.42's, custom chip tuning, Alky Control Methanol injection
13.61 ET at 101.44 mph, 262 WHP/350WTQ

2009 Pontiac Solstice GXP roadster, 2.0 turbo w/GMPP exh, CAI and turbo upgrade, 290 hp/325 ft lbs

1969 Olds 442 convert
400 Eng, 200-4R trans, 3.73 posi, power everything, OAI

Quote:

First one to go broke and end up in debtors prison wins!!

I won't need to kill the engine to place first in that race.

Lotsa changes need to happen before 25psi. New turbo, different intercooler, and tuning, tuning, tuning. I'm a little more conservative so I'll spend time working on the timing tables at 17 psi (it spikes to almost 20) before upping the ante.

Besides, I'm just waiting for you to burn your car so I can collect what's left. You know you'll never get enough traction to make decent time in the 1/4.

Hmmm... I don't see "tuning by Tony" in the mods list.

-->Slow

You're a sick man you know that? No wonder I like you!
I'll hook it up at the track don't you worry. I'll probably pop the axles out of it but hopefully that'll be after I'm coasting down from a really fast run. That could be the last run I ever make but in days to come the children and maidens will sing songs about me right? That'd be nice.

I didn't put "Tuning by Tony" in the sig because I don't want to take credit for it yet! Maybe some day but for now you'll be taking the blame for how it runs. Ha ha ha.

Tony


Tony
1987 Sunbird GT turbo convert
Ported intake, Fiero 53 MM TB, 52 lb inj, ported and flowed head, tube header, Mitsu TD06, ARP rod
bolts/head studs, adj cam sprocket, 4" x 12" x 31" FMIC, Paxton AFPR, modified 125 trans/LSD
unit/3.42's, custom chip tuning, Alky Control Methanol injection
13.61 ET at 101.44 mph, 262 WHP/350WTQ

2009 Pontiac Solstice GXP roadster, 2.0 turbo w/GMPP exh, CAI and turbo upgrade, 290 hp/325 ft lbs

1969 Olds 442 convert
400 Eng, 200-4R trans, 3.73 posi, power everything, OAI

"... and the last thing we saw before your father disappeared was his tail lights going into that giant black hole where the end of the track should have been."

-->Slow

And my son would probably find that story very funny.
He's a twisted little dude as you know.

Tony


Tony
1987 Sunbird GT turbo convert
Ported intake, Fiero 53 MM TB, 52 lb inj, ported and flowed head, tube header, Mitsu TD06, ARP rod
bolts/head studs, adj cam sprocket, 4" x 12" x 31" FMIC, Paxton AFPR, modified 125 trans/LSD
unit/3.42's, custom chip tuning, Alky Control Methanol injection
13.61 ET at 101.44 mph, 262 WHP/350WTQ

2009 Pontiac Solstice GXP roadster, 2.0 turbo w/GMPP exh, CAI and turbo upgrade, 290 hp/325 ft lbs

1969 Olds 442 convert
400 Eng, 200-4R trans, 3.73 posi, power everything, OAI

tony what are you running for tuning?
and do you have any info on modding the paxton adfpt?


1st 1st gen on air.....

I started out with Tunercat but currently I'm using TunerproRT. They're both great though I'm favoring Tunerpro because it has more features. It also has a help guide that is very detailed and you can email the guy who created it with any questions.

I got the Paxton regulator off ebay for $40 bucks and it's intended for a boosted 5.0 Mustang. I forget the part number but I believe there's only one for that type application. I don't want to mislead you to think it's a bolt in though - I haven't found one that bolts in place of the Sunbird regulator though I did see there's a Bosch one for BMW's that looks very similar. I didn't see a Bosch one that was adjustable though.

I rebent the return line on my rail so it runs parallel to the main body of the rail, cut off the original bubble flared end and had a length of 5/16" steel tubing soldered on at a radiator shop. I put a fitting at the end that has a 1/4" pipe thread so I can adapt to conventional fittings easily. That made modifying and re-running the return hose easy.
Anything else you need to know you can email me at olzkng@aol.com if you like.

Tony


Tony
1987 Sunbird GT turbo convert
Ported intake, Fiero 53 MM TB, 52 lb inj, ported and flowed head, tube header, Mitsu TD06, ARP rod
bolts/head studs, adj cam sprocket, 4" x 12" x 31" FMIC, Paxton AFPR, modified 125 trans/LSD
unit/3.42's, custom chip tuning, Alky Control Methanol injection
13.61 ET at 101.44 mph, 262 WHP/350WTQ

2009 Pontiac Solstice GXP roadster, 2.0 turbo w/GMPP exh, CAI and turbo upgrade, 290 hp/325 ft lbs

1969 Olds 442 convert
400 Eng, 200-4R trans, 3.73 posi, power everything, OAI